Filippo Colombo I grew up in Bironico, a small fraction in the Swiss municipality of Monteceneri, in Canton Ticino (district of Lugano). My passion for cycling was born thanks to both my mother and uncle, who passed on their enthusiasm for this sports discipline to me. At the time there were no MTB Clubs in Ticino, so if you wanted to race the only option was with road cycling teams. This is how I entered the world of racing, in the Under 11 Category, thanks to the Velo Club Monte Tamaro. Up to the Under 15 Category I raced with both road and MTB bikes. At 15, when I switched to the Beginner Category (15-16 years), it was already clear to me that the mountain bike was definitely my favourite one. Once again, I must say thanks to the Velo Club Monte Tamaro as in 2012 it put together the first cantonal MTB team. The first year was unsuccessful: our 'new formation' was not at the level of the other participants of the Swiss racing circuit and thus we took a beating. As a result, we geared up to adapt the training and during the first race of the 2013 Swiss Cup we scored our first victory. This was a clear confirmation that we were on the right path. In 2014, in the Junior Category (17-18 years), I won the title of Swiss Champion and I got signed to the National Team. One of the most rewarding experience I have ever had was getting the third step on the podium during the World Championships in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic), right after successfully passing the high school final exams. Back then I felt such a great emotion that struck me with the certainty of wanting to experience again the same thrill, the same satisfaction. In other words, I wanted to win again. In 2017 I got my first professional contract and during the 2018/19 season, with the BMC Team (Under 23 Category) I was able to improve my performance, set new goals and achieve two awesome results: the silver medal at both the European Championships and the World Cup. Also in 2019 came the title of best Ticino sportsman, an honor of which I am very proud and for which I thank my country and the Canton where I live. In 2020 I moved to the Men Elite category, racing for Team Absolute Absalon. Unfortunately, the Covid19 epidemic has led to the cancellation of many competitions scheduled by the sports calendar and postponed, for at least a year, the great Olympic dream. 2021 started with a bad injury that forced me to sit still for almost three months. Fortunately, I was able to get back in time to be able to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, an extraordinary experience even if I did not get there in the physical shape I would have liked. The bronze medal won at the European Championships and the participation in the Cape Epic were two other really beautiful moments of the competitive season. So many podiums and so much satisfaction in 2022. Topping the list was second place in the overall World Cup ranking in the Short Track specialty and the title of Swiss Short Track Champion. Great joy also for the bronze medal at the European Championships in Munich. 2023 was a difficult year to define. I opened the season by dedicating myself to the road with the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team: an important experience that allowed me to participate in historic races such as the Strade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders, and the legendary Paris-Roubaix. Right here, however, a bad crash on the cobblestones resulting in a dislocated elbow fracture interrupted not only the road experience, but almost the entire MTB racing season. I was only able to return after 2 surgeries and 5 months of rehabilitation. Needless to say, even though I was able to compete in the last two World Cup stages, my fitness had been noticeably affected. The podiums won in Basel, Gstaad, Greece, and Japan restored my will to win, but the Olympic pass for Paris 2024 will be the real challenge next year. For 2024 I have decided to suspend my participation in road races, giving up - at least for a while - being part of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. The focus will be all on mountain bike races with the dream of being able to be in Paris and the determination to give it my all. |
